“As a (serious) Evolutionist, is there a piece of evidence you’ve seen that points to inteligent design?”
The following answer to that question was made by James Elmore B.S., M.D. Medicine & Biology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Graduated 1998. If you, as me, do not fully understand his detailed answer, at least take note of his final comments!
(NOTE: (UNABLE TO POST A GENOME PICTURE HERE FROM ORIGINAL COMMENT)
This may look like gibberish at first, but trust me it’s anything but.
The top row is the partial DNA sequence of the INK4a gene that codes for an important regulatory protein. The second row is its partial amino acid sequence.
What’s amazing here though is the third row. It shows how the same exact DNA sequence used to code INK4a is also used to code the amino acid sequence of a completely unique protein (ARF) with a different regulatory function. So the ARF gene is literally a gene within a gene. Just by starting on a different nucleotide which causes a completely different reading frame.
The Regulation of INK4/ARF in Cancer and Aging
Note that these 2 proteins aren’t just different forms of the same protein—they are entirely unique. There is NO shared amino acid homology.
While no analogy is perfect here, what you are looking at would be akin to writing 2 unique sentences with entirely different meanings just by starting on a different letter!
And it’s now estimated that up to 10% of our genomes include overlapping genes. The number is growing.
“Overlapping genes have generally been thought to be relatively rare in the human genome, but the results of the present study show that they are more abundant than was previously thought. Interestingly, overlapping genes do not appear to be the result of evolutionary pressure to minimize the size of the human genome.”
Overlapping of Genes in the Human Genome
Sure, this can be and is explained away using the common descent paradigm. But it really does and should test the limits of credulity. Here’s why:
The total number of possible protein sequences is ~infinite. Even for an average protein 200 amino acids long there are more possible sequences than there are protons in the known Universe. But only a minuscule fraction are biologically useful. If you do the math it turns out you’d have to search through 10^74 chains of that length to find a single one that folds into a stable structure and performs any function.
And this particular gene has 2 of them coded by the exact same DNA!
Genomes and the Protein Universe
The Mathematics of Origin
There’s more reasons to be incredulous though. Overlapping genes make proteins with entirely different and unrelated functions. Because they are unique they may not be selected for (or against) by the same environmental pressures. So if a mutation changes one for the good it is very likely to degrade the function of the other. So either these genes are not influenced by selective pressure (but we think they should be) or must have arisen together. Meaning they must have been created simultaneously after a duplication and subsequent mutation-divergence events. But as it turns out their occurrence is often uniquely species specific and independent of phylogeny. Either way it’s hard to make sense of this from an evolutionary perspective.
Overlapping genes of Aedes aegypti: evolutionary implications from comparison with orthologs of Anopheles gambiae and other insects
Some of these important and statistcally improbable biologically useful proteins form when the DNA is read left to right AND different but useful proteins when read right to left.
It would be like buying a book which when read front to back chronicles the adventures of Harry Potter but if read back to front, tells you how to be happier, sell more, start a business, or find the man/woman of your dreams.
And many of the larger proteins with multiple domains are folded into specific configurations by other proteins called chaperone proteins.
If a string of amino acid isn’t correct the chaperonin chews it up and recycles the amino acids.
So…in order to get a new protein with a new function you’d have to also have simultaneous and cooperative mutations in the gene that codes for that particular chaperone.
But proteins don’t really work like that. They aren’t sculptures that can be sculpted little by little. If mutations change the amino acid sequence too much you get sudden and drastic changes in protein configuration. In fact, a single nucleotide insertion will cause the protein to form a completely different shape and render it unable to perform its original function. At all.
Indeed, at one time it was believed that the redundancy in the genetic code was a sloppy by-product of evolution. Now, though, we realize that there are multiple codons for each amino acid specifically so that genes can be read, spliced, and translated in multiple different ways to achieve jaw-dropping regulatory networks.
These regulatory networks appear exquisitely designed. This diagram compares that of a bacteria e. coli (left) to the “call graph” of the modern Linux OS (right). Linux, of course, is one of the most popular operating systems for mobile devices, web servers, and film production. Disney uses it. And without getting into details here, the bacteria makes Linux look pretty bad.
From: Comparing genomes to computer operating systems in terms of the topology and evolution of their regulatory control networks.
Concluding comments:
‘If you believe what we are finding these days is explicable from purely natural random and selected processes you have more faith than I do. For these and many other reasons.’ “I’ve jumped ship and have come to believe this has to be Designed!”
Welcome to all those who may have begun to appreciate Romans 1:20…..
“For his invisible qualities are clearly seen from the world’s creation onward, because they are perceived by the things made, even his eternal power and Godship, so that they (those who see them) are inexcusable.”
Quotation: “The first gulp from the glass of natural sciences will make you an evolutionist, but at the bottom of the glass God is waiting for you.” (Werner Heisenberg, father of Quantum Mechanics.)
Einstein is famously quoted as saying ‘imagination is greater than intelligence!’ So what really is ‘imagination’ we may ask? A good definition is: ‘the faculty of forming new ideas, images or concepts not present to the senses’. Space-time was ‘imagined’ by Einstein in ways most of us may not. However should the concept of imagination be considered?
For example, how difficult is it to imagine life on earth is the creation of a vastly superior, although unseen, entity?
(Romans 1:20) puts it this way: “…his invisible qualities are clearly seen’ from the world’s creation onward, because they are perceived by the things made, even his eternal power and Godship, so that they are inexcusable.”
The context shows that those unable or unwilling to recognize by simple observation a Creator of all things are truly ‘inexcusable’, in other words lacking imagination!
Science is defined as ‘truth’, so what does factual science teach us? Indeed real science confirms that all life on earth is unique. That’s not speculation, or theory!
Clearly anyone failing to acknowledge all life on earth, and the earth itself, as a very special creation, must be described as ‘inexcusable’. Especially so as more and more universal discoveries of stars and galaxies via new space telescopes are now being made every day!
However there are, sad to say, those who will stubbornly deny that human, plant, and animal observation is, of itself, sufficient evidence of creation In reality imagination is lacking in such ones. Ironically those self same persons will describe themselves as informed or enlightened, they are failing to acknowledge the obvious wisdom, and creative power in plain view.
Make no mistake, God himself describes such ones as ‘inexcusable’, because of willful blindness to acknowledge observable truth. Indeed all life has a message for us, from flora and fauna, birds to whales, ants to elephants, and earth’s amazing environmental cycles, to name just a few things;; all teach us about the love and wisdom of a far, far, superior intelligence and unfathomable power of our creator; if we simply exercise humble imagination!
This is about life, not war, not disease, just plain life, not only human life but observed nature.
It’s important to acknowledge the adaptability of literally ‘all’ life on earth. Yes I do mean adaptability, not evolution, which is a totally ‘unnatural’ concept.
Adaptability is, rather, a well proven and observable characteristic of perhaps all living things, including plants and animals. Yes, ability to adapt to changing, even very challenging environmental conditions, good or bad, is not exclusive to humans.
The simple basic truth is; our earth is the only place in the physical universe known to support life, period. What adaptability implies is that life on earth is well designed, exclusively designed for earth’s environs! Nowhere else in the cosmos, has it been shown that humans, animals, or any life on earth could adapt and survive in very difficult conditions, as often happens on our planet!
That said, exceptional ability to adapt to change has nearly reached a tipping point owing to long-term damage done to earth’s environment. In other words there are now foreseeable ‘red lines’ as to how much further life on earth can adapt to centuries of negative impacts on the environment! Concerns about potential ‘extinction events’ are already becoming a mute point!
Living on the moon or mars is now well known to be a completely foreign concept, very far from practical reality for any of earth’s (adaptable) life forms. Knowledge gained about those environments is more and more evidence that all life as we know it is designed exclusively for earth alone! The well known expression ‘mother earth’ is therefore not without substance.
Isn’t it time to humbly acknowledge this basic truth?
Such honest acknowledgment is an essential ‘beginning’ to appreciate an all wise and loving Creator who has generously granted all life on earth even with great ability to live and adapt to change… within limits!
NASA’s concern for human life by an asteroid striking earth, simply pales in comparison to the damage being caused by weather events happening today.
Recent knowledge of the universe and all that is in it from space telescopes, probes, et al, is no doubt of great interest. However ever increasing destructive environmental issues are a far more pertinent existing existential threat for life on earth to say the very least!
Space exploration and concern for the very remote possibility of an asteroid strike is not going to save the earth from mankind’s nearly suicidal course. Thoughtful people agree. For example;
“For too long, we have been waging a senseless and suicidal war on nature. The result is three interlinked environmental crises: climate disruption, biodiversity loss and pollution that threaten our viability as a species.” (UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, on a new report about the health of the planet, called “Making Peace With Nature,”
Therefore I make this suggestion; ‘do not be distracted by rockets and space probes’, rather be impressed by our amazing planet and humbly recognize the need to acknowledge its Creator. He alone can restore and reverse the damage to earth done by mankind, not to mention any remote asteroid threats, and that is precisely what he has stated he will do!
And the One seated on the throne said: “Look! I am making all things new.” Also he says: “Write, for these words are faithful and true.” (Revelation 21:5)
Please visit JW.org for more encouraging information, and my blog posting here:
It has to be admitted that many beneficial labor-saving devices are now taken for granted, from refrigerators to washing machines and the like., however there are at least an equal number of examples of the misuse of technology such as the development of fearsome weapons of war; machine guns, bombs, chemical and biological weapons; atomic weapons; rockets, cruise missiles, drones, and laser space-weapons to name a few! And these developments are ever increasing as nations strive for domination over one another at the expense of world peace and security for their populace.
Arguably, development of weapons has been and continues to be the priority of technological development, beginning in the 18th Century and continuing down to this day! Our planet functions on a series of well-balanced systems, systems that have clearly been damaged by technology!
Does that not indicate the destruction of human lives has been a greater focus than any ‘benefits’ of technology? Tens of millions of people have been the victims of such developments, a great many of them, perhaps a majority, have been innocent non-combatants.
Added to that sad fact, neither has any economic prosperity from technology made people lastingly happier, nor provided safety and peace of mind! Therefore surely the question should be asked; ‘do the benefits of scientific technology developments outweigh it’s detriments to society?’
Such thoughts are being expressed more and more by thoughtful people, such as renowned scientist, environmentalist René Dubos. In fact its fair to say that much of the distressing aspects of the modern world originate with the Industrial Revolution. The reality is that increased control over nature is actually a ‘zero sum game’.
Another knowledgeable authority, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said;
“For too long, we have been waging a senseless and suicidal war on nature. The result is three interlinked environmental crises: climate disruption, biodiversity loss and pollution that threaten our viability as a species.”
Enzo Maiorca (famous ocean diver) said after rescuing a pregnant dolphin caught in a fish net and gratefully touched by its mate well said: “Until man learns to respect and communicate with the animal world, he will never be able to know his true role on this Earth.”
In the view of Science professor Mary Eleanor Clark, “In our rush to embrace technology we have adopted a very temporal system: A hedonistic society that ignores the future.” “In America and other advanced cultures, belief in technology has become a religious faith.”
To that point, Martin Luther King said: “Our scientific power has outrun our spiritual power. We have guided missiles and misguided men.”
Computer scientist Jacques Vallee feels that ‘high technology has acquired a momentum of its own, and it is now controlling society as much as society is controlling high technology.’How scary is that!
Like the apprentice’s broomstick in the fairy tale, ‘the Sorcerer’s Apprentice’, technology is a powerful tool that could serve the greater good of mankind. But it has not been properly controlled, and grossly misused, causing disastrous consequences, we are seeing more every day.
If you are seeking a better world, one with people of ‘good will’, living in peace, with plenty for all. I invite you to further visit my blog here…
After watching a repeat W5 TV show about SETA (searching for extraterrestrial life etc) I have to make a comment;
It seems to me that ‘extraterrestrial life’ is already here but not recognized as such!
No, I’m not referring to unique aquatic creatures, such as the amazing octopus as was suggested in that program, nor any other mysterious deep sea creature.
So what do I believe may be the unrecognized alien creature on earth;
wait for it…..
Indeed its us ‘humans’!
Ridiculous you say.? Well let’s objectively consider the evidence;
First; given a very long history of environmental damage to the earth humans may well be described as the ‘least compatible creature’ on earth.
Next; consider how very few of mankind actually commit to the support of all the other life-forms on earth. To the contrary, human record proves humans actually; exploit; abuse; and outright destroy; everything from flora to fauna, to animals and vegetables. A far cry from benefiting most other life forms on earth.
Finally; many humans are very discontent with their lives on earth and instead are seeking to occupy other places, such as on the planet Mars, or even much further away from earth if the opportunity presented itself.
So for those (alienated humans) so inclined, I must say; maybe that’s where you actually belong…!?
Not sure who wrote this surprising and interesting post but I do not take credit for it…in fact it appears to have originated with this UK site: https://www.mayflower400uk.org/
On August 5, 1620, the Mayflower departed Plymouth, England, on a journey across the Atlantic. Their destination was the Virginia Colony.
In other words, from the start, their intent was to head further south.
Keep in mind three important facts:
Their original destination was not what is now the Boston area, the place where they finally settled. Boston is south of Plymouth, England (51° N vs. 42° N). The intended destination was even further south (51° N vs. 40° N).
The journey was beset by many delays. They originally intended to set off in July. Since most of the people making the voyage were then living in Leiden, in the Netherlands. The plan was for a sister ship, the Speedwell, to depart England for the Netherlands, pick up the passengers, return to Southampton, join the Mayflower, and then the two ships would begin their journey.
On August 5, the two ships set sail for the New World. The Speedwell began leaking, so they docked in Dartmouth for repairs. They set out again on August 21, and after a few days at sea, the Speedwell began leaking again. The leaders of the voyage determined that the Speedwell would return to England, while the Mayflower would continue across the Atlantic. So, after transferring supplies, the Mayflower finally set out on September 6 — over a month behind schedule.
The transatlantic crossing proved treacherous. While the voyage initially proceeded smoothly, the ship was beset by storms and foul weather during the second half of the trip. They finally spotted land (modern-day Cape Cod) on November 9 — 66 days after they had departed.
Their original plan was to journey about 250 miles further south to establish their colony, but they faced a grave problem: They had run out of beer. Drinking water, in those days, would spoil and become notoriously disease-ridden. Travelers, like those journeying on the Mayflower, relied on beer as a drinking source that wouldn’t spoil. But they had run out.
After exploring the coastline of Cape Cod and the mainland, they finally chose Plymouth, just west of Cape Cod, as the place they would establish their colony, and on December 25 1620 — Christmas Day — they established Plymouth Plantation.
As I noted, their original destination was the Virginia Colony. They intended to settle on a large island, a place teeming with wildlife and natural resources, fronted by a huge and navigable natural harbor, and bordered by a wide river that flowed from far into the interior. At that point in history, the northern boundary of the Virginia Colony was about 225 miles farther north than the current border of Virginia. The island where the voyagers intended to establish their colony is today called Manhattan.
So, the Pilgrims settled in Boston, rather than New York City, because they ran out of beer…you’ve got to admit, its a sobering story!
Reading about a courageous woman with a rare disease caused by UV (Ultra Violet radiation) motivates this post.
Of course natural sunshine embodies UV light, but who would doubt 21st century atmospheric conditions do not adversely affect normal delivery of those rays to us today.?
Whether or not that is the case. we do normally require natural sunlight for the production of vitamin D etc. However there are reasons to believe that extra exposure to UV may well be detrimental to our heath.
Therefore I’m writing this post to simply point out, as that woman very well did, that any excess UV exposure can be harmful. How harmful? In her case she can no longer be exposed to normal daylight and must live only as a night person. The frightening disease she has is rare, but who knows how much harm is caused by the constant UV exposure in offices and homes for millions of others by ubiquitous fluorescent lights!?
Case in point: I recently received a diagnosis of BCC (Basal Cell Carcinoma) in an area near my right ear. It’s not considered serious, however that form of cancer is definitely known to be caused by UV radiation, and in my case I firmly believe it was caused by a low wattage, twin-tube, fluorescent reading lamp. In fact I have used that lamp on a daily basis for many years just above my right ear!
True; I have no solid scientific facts to back this up, however take note that the Canadian Cancer Society did not dispute this possibility when I checked with them.
Therefore anyone reading this please take note: the skin damage caused by excessive sun-bathing, or by tanning studio lights, may only be the tip of the iceberg. Its quite clear that prolonged exposure to UV light, be it from the sun, or from fluorescent lighting sources, (including to a lessor degree LED lighting), is definitely dangerous and harmful!
No doubt it is a significant accomplishment to send a probe that reached the Kuiper belt, which is apparently in the same area as Pluto, yet still not even to the limits of our solar system.
Nevertheless we must realistically say this is a very small step for mankind when we consider that, ‘In the beginning God created the heavens and earth’ as stated in the very first verse of the bible. No I’m not a religious fanatic, but hopefully providing thoughtful alternative consideration for the formation of the physical universe we are privileged to live in.
It may be difficult for us imperfect humans to envision a Creator, an actual person of such glory and unlimited power, but very factual scientific evidence now points to that conclusion, and by the way; ‘humility’ is well described in scripture as perhaps the most highly valued quality he looks for in each one of mankind, and understandably so!
I was enjoying an afternoon in October sunshine on the promenade at White Rock B.C. today. Some misguided person was serving up food for throngs of seagulls and they screamed as they competed for each one.
Watching those seagulls reminded me of the new Boeing ‘787 dream liner’, how?
If you take a close look, the wings of that modern airliner bear a close resemblance to the wings of those gulls! Indeed the wings of the 787 are not only able to flex 25 feet under test conditions, but their design appears to mimic seagulls, at least visually.
Most commercial jets today have employed (Burt Rutan designed) winglets at the end of their wings to reduce turbulant drag and improve performance. But if you look closely the new Boeing dream liner has a design similar to gulls, a sophisticated tapered shape that accomplishes the same thing without winglets!
My point in writing about this is to compliment those who have learned from so-called ‘nature’, by that I mean the ‘Creator of nature’, our Father in heaven. Yes he is in fact the master designer of all life on this blue marble, a planet with beauty and complexity we may only be just beginning to appreciate as this video well illustrates… copy and paste it to view, I guarantee you will not be dissapointed:
